Iran Press/ Iran news: The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, involves a series of rituals performed over five days in Mecca and surrounding areas of Saudi Arabia.
This year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage is taking place in the shadow of the grim and devastating war that has been raging in Gaza for the past 8 months. Over 37,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have so far lost their lives as a result of Israel’s brutal killing campaign backed by Western states. Arab governments, except for Yemen and Lebanese Hezbollah, have largely remained impotent against the regime.
Many Muslims visiting Mecca this year were planning to use the opportunity to call for action against Zionists. Saudi Arabia’s officials, however, have warned that no “political slogans” would be tolerated. The decision has ignited a firestorm of criticism against Saudi rulers.
